World’s richest footballer is worth £16bn – four times more than ex-Man Utd star

One former Manchester United, Everton, and Tottenham striker has amassed a staggering £4.3billion fortune in retirement, but his wealth is dwarfed by the world’s richest player

Former Manchester United ace Louis Saha has racked up an eye-popping £4.3billion since he left the pitch, but that’s peanuts compared to ex-Leicester player Faiq Bolkiah’s fortune. Saha, who donned a United shirt from 2004 to 2008 under the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson, bagged two Premier League titles, a Champions League trophy, and a League Cup at Old Trafford.

He also turned out for Everton, Spurs, and Sunderland before calling it quits in 2013. But it’s his business brain that’s really paid off, with his sports company AxisStars bringing in the big bucks. The venture, which boasts of linking up “professional athletes and entertainers, their peers and trusted partners,” has been a winner for Saha, though it’s still miles off the staggering wealth of Brunei’s Sultan’s nephew, Bolkiah, who’s one of many heirs to a £16bn fortune.

The 46-year-old co-founded the firm with former marketing whiz Kate Hamer, and they’ve got over 500 former sports stars on their books, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Their website features a snap of the retired striker next to Hamer, with a blurb that says: “Since hanging up his boots, Louis has moved into the world of business where he has used his experience to develop propositions to support athletes and other people in the public eye, in their careers.”

Saha past revealed his recent business endeavours to The Guardian, disclosing: “I still get asked for advice by different people on a daily basis. For instance, my agent called me to say he had a talented French footballer who he wants to bring to England.

“He asked me for advice on how to create a tailor-made training programme. I put him in touch with people I used to work with,” added the former striker.

“This kind of player could join Axis as he can then search for a personal coach in his region. It is a hard process but it’s so rewarding, because if I can help 100,000 people, it’s the best thing I’ve ever done.”

Meanwhile, Bolkiah, who had his early footballing roots in the academies of Southampton, Chelsea, and Leicester, continues his professional journey at 26 in Thailand’s top league.

Bolkiah signed with Chonburi before moving to his present team, Ratchaburi. He’s not just an athlete but also royalty, being the nephew of the Sultan of Brunei and a scion of the House of Bolkiah.

Sitting in line to a £16bn fortune, Bolkiah makes Saha’s wealth look modest in comparison and outstrips even Cristiano Ronaldo’s amassed wealth and business earnings, which are estimated at around £600million.

However, Bolkiah faced a setback in 2024 after joining Ratchaburi the previous year; suffering a devastating leg fracture during a game against Police Tero in February.

The winger returned to the pitch last month after a nearly 350-day absence and took to Instagram to express his delight, writing: “Almost one year since my injury, Feels great to be back out there.”

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